Travis Frederick “Fred” Douglas Horton Bennett passed away peacefully in his sleep Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013, at his home in Greenville, Ala. He was born in Greenville, the seventh child of 14 on Dec. 30, 1915, to the late Sammie Williams Bennett and the late William Madison Bennett. He was a very influential community and civic leader and businessman. He was featured on the May 1978 cover of Black Enterprise Magazine for his endeavors to stem the tide of land loss. He was also featured in an exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, Ill., in 1990 as one of the most successful small farmers in the southeastern United States.

He was the recipient of the Silver Beaver Award for his voluminous work with Boy Scouts and has received numerous awards for being a visionary and powerful community leader. His family was chosen by Tuskegee University as Merit Farm Family in 1959.

Through the years, he was a much sought-after advisor in the area of land acquisition and management, farming and civic affairs. He taught the Adult Bible Class at his church, served as a trustee, choir member and a Mason. He was preceded in death by his wife of almost 60 years, Lena Y. Hosea Bennett. His legacy will be cherished by their daughter, Cherrye L. Bennett Todd (Anderson, III) of Birmingham, Ala.; three grandchildren: Elena Todd White (Kori) of Hoover, Ala.; Anderson Todd, IV (Stephanie) of Charlotte, N.C., and Angela Todd of Vestavia Hills, Ala., as well as eight great-grandchildren: Greyson B. Todd, Sage A. Williams, Zion E. Williams, Josiah E, Williams, Salah A. Williams, Olivia G. White, Noah K. White and Jonah D. White, all of the Birmingham, Ala., area; two sisters, Doris Harris, Chicago, Ill. and Mattie Pearl Frost of Greenville, Ala.; brother, Robert S. (Ceola) Bennett of Greenville, Ala.  He was the treasured patriarch of his family. A homegoing celebration will be held Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013, at noon at the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Greenville, Ala., followed by interment in the church cemetery. Rev. C.A. Bennett, officiating, Rev. Dr. James Hall, pastor. Service entrusted to Hudson Funeral Home, Greenville, Ala.